Hip Chicago Hood Now Historic, Too

Skinny jeans and berets don't offer half the legit hipster cred of living in a historic district- especially a newly created historic district like Chicago's East Village. Kudos to the existing residents for the good sense and taste to move into this neighborhood before it was "discovered."

And kudos to the city for marking the East Village as a landmark district so that it won't be dismantled by an influx of luxury condos and other development of a kind that robs neighborhoods of their unique flavor.

The East Village's pedigree? It was constructed for and by working-class German immigrants and has remained a popular destination for subsequent newly arrived ethnic groups.

Today the East Village has a mix of socioeconomic groups and ethnicities and is an increasingly popular place to live (hipster evidence notwithstanding). Here are three great rentals in the East Village neighborhood, which is bordered on the north by Division, south by Grand, east by Ashland and west by Damen.

East Village - 3 Bed/1 Bath - $1,150

This top floor, three-bedroom apartment is the heart of the East Village. It has large windows, new cabinetry, and a washer-dryer. You'll probably like the deck off the kitchen the most (left).

Bonus: if you need easy access to a 99 cent store or men's shoe store this place has you covered. Click here to see more.

East Village Condo - 2 Bed/2 Bath - $1,800

Here's another rental option that includes some sought-after outdoor space. It's a condo, so, if you're ready to make the leap from renter to owner, that's an option, too.

Technically this little gem is a block north of East Village, but, hey, close enough absorb the hipster vibe. Check out the interior archway-it makes a grand statement-when you walk inside. This renovated pad includes outdoor space, garden, bicycle room, and high ceilings. Full listing here.